Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T04:29:24.711Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The demand for ‘critical research’ in a competitive authoritarian regime: think tanks in Mozambique

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2018

William R. Nylen
William R. Nylen*
Affiliation:
Department of Political Science, Stetson University, DeLand, FL 32721, USA
*
Email: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Think tanks in competitive authoritarian regimes are implicitly if not explicitly oppositional, producing and disseminating research critical of government policies and elite behaviour. Existing literature asks how and why such think tanks emerge and survive, and if they exercise real influence. This paper asks if anyone actually reads their critical research. Focusing on two cases in Mozambique – the Instituto de Estudos Sociais e Económicos (IESE) and the Centro de Integridade Pública (CIP) – three original data sets are examined: (1) citations in the bibliographies of end-of-programme theses of undergraduates in the political science, public administration, economics, and/or sociology departments of two of Mozambique's most important universities; (2) websites and Facebook activities – visits, downloads, etc.; and (3) citations in academic journals that publish on Africa. Findings show evolving demand for these think tanks’ research, suggesting their growing status within Mozambique and, by implication, within civil societies of similar competitive authoritarian regimes.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Modern African Studies , Volume 56 , Issue 2 , June 2018 , pp. 269 - 297
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

The author thanks the Fulbright Foundation and Stetson University for financial support; also Natalia Fingermann, Lázaro Mabunda, Gary Maris, Bob Press and two anonymous JMAS reviewers for helpful comments, as well as Daniel Urena for research assistance.

References

REFERENCES

Allina, É. 2012. Slavery by Any Other Name: African life under company rule in colonial Mozambique. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia Press.Google Scholar
Bartlett, D. 2001. ‘Human rights, democracy and the donors: the first MMD Government in Zambia’, Review of African Political Economy 28, 87: 83–91.Google Scholar
Beall, J., Goodfellow, T. & Rodgers, D.. 2011. ‘Cities, conflict, and state fragility’, London School of Economics, Crisis States Working Papers Series 2, 85.Google Scholar
Bennett, S., Corluka, A., Doherty, J., Tangcharoensathien, V., Patcharanarumol, W., Jesani, A., Kyabaggu, J., Namaganda, G., Zakir Hussain, A.M. & de-Graft Aikins, A.. 2011. ‘Influencing policy change: the experience of health think tanks in low-and middle-income countries’, Health Policy and Planning czr035.Google ScholarPubMed
Braun, M., Chudnovsky, M., Di Nucci, C., Ducoté, N. & Weyrauch, V.. 2004. ‘A comparative study of think tanks in Latin America, Asia, and Africa.’ Buenos Aires CIPPEC, project prepared for the Global Development Network's Bridging Research and Policy, unpublished.Google Scholar
de Brito, L. 2010. ‘O Sistema Eleitoral: Uma Dimensão Crítica da Representatção Política em Moçambique’ [The electoral system: a critical dimension of political representation in Mozambique], in de Brito, L., Nuno Castel-Branco, C., Chichava, S. & Francisco, A., eds. Desafios para Moçambique 2010 [Challenges to Mozambique 2010]. Maputo: IESE, 17–29.Google Scholar
Brown, S. 2005. ‘Foreign aid and democracy promotion: lessons from Africa’, European Journal of Development Research 17, 2:179–98.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brown, S. 2011. ‘‘Well, what can you expect?’: donor officials' apologetics for hybrid regimes in Africa’, Democratization 18, 2: 512–34.Google Scholar
Cahen, M. 2016. ‘Frelimo's hegemony is a menace to democracy’, Savana XXIII, 1170: 14–15. [In Portuguese]Google Scholar
Canhanga, N.J.V. 2009. ‘Os Desafios da Descentralização e a Dinâmica da Plafificação Participativa na Configuração de Agendas Políticas Locais’ [The Challenges of Decentralisation and the Dynamic of Participatory Planning in the Configuration of Local Political Agendas], in de Brito, L., Nuno Castel-Branco, C., Chichava, S. & Francisco, A., eds. Cidadania e Governação em Moçambique [Citizenship and Governance in Mozambique]. Maputo: IESE, 90–118.Google Scholar
Carothers, T. 2006. ‘The backlash against democracy promotion’, Foreign Affairs 85, 2: 55–68.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Civicus. 2013. ‘The Enabling Environment Index, 2013’, <http://civicus.org/eei/>, accessed 25.7.2016.,+accessed+25.7.2016.>Google Scholar
Corrales, J. 2011. ‘Power grabbing and the rise of a hybrid regime in Venezuela 1999–2009’, in Corrales, J. & Penfold, M., eds. Dragon in the tropics: Hugo Chavez and the political economy of revolution in Venezuela. Washington, DC: Brookings Institution, 14–46.Google Scholar
Crawford, G. 2003a. ‘Promoting democracy from without – learning from within (Part I)’, Democratisation 10, 1: 77–98.Google Scholar
Crawford, G. 2003b. ‘Promoting democracy from without – learning from within (Part II)’, Democratisation 10, 2: 1–20.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cutajar, J. 2008. ‘Knowledge and post-colonial pedagogy’, Mediterranean Journal of Educational Studies 13, 2: 27–47.Google Scholar
Dahl, R. 1971. Polyarchy. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.Google Scholar
Department for International Development (DFID). n.d. ‘Intervention Summary; Title: Support to IESE’, <http://iati.dfid.gov.uk/iati_documents/3717435.odt>, accessed 14.10.2016.,+accessed+14.10.2016.>Google Scholar
Emerson, S.A. 2014. The Battle for Mozambique: the Frelimo-Renamo struggle, 1977–1992. Solihull: Helion & Company.Google Scholar
Fernandes, C. 2015. ‘Regional and local dynamics in the shaping of the Centre for African Studies in Maputo, 1976–1986’, Journal of Southern African Studies 41, 3: 581–97.Google Scholar
Fölscher, A. 2007. ‘Participatory budgeting in Central and Eastern Europe’, in Shah, A., ed. Participatory Budgeting. Washington, DC: World Bank, 127–56.Google Scholar
Gerring, J. 2008. ‘Case selection for case-study analysis: qualitative and quantitative techniques’, in Box-Steffensmeier, J.M., Brady, H.F. & Collier, D., eds. The Oxford Handbook of Political Methodology. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 645–84.Google Scholar
Hanlon, J. 1991. Mozambique: Who Calls the Shots? London: James Currey.Google Scholar
Hanlon, J. & Mosse, M.. 2009. ‘Is Mozambique's elite moving from corruption to development?’ Paper presented at the UNU-WIDER Conference on the Role of Elites in Economic Development, Helsinki, Finland, 12–13 June. <http://oro.open.ac.uk/20888/1/Hanlon-Mosse_-_Mozambique_elite_capitalism_-_May09.pdf>, accessed 8.1.2016., accessed 8.1.2016.' href=https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Hanlon,+J.+&+Mosse,+M..+2009.+‘Is+Mozambique's+elite+moving+from+corruption+to+development?’+Paper+presented+at+the+UNU-WIDER+Conference+on+the+Role+of+Elites+in+Economic+Development,+Helsinki,+Finland,+12–13+June.+,+accessed+8.1.2016.>Google Scholar
Harrison, G. 1999. ‘Corruption as ‘boundary politics’: the state, democratisation, and Mozambique's unstable liberalisation’, Third World Quarterly 20, 3: 537–50.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harrison, G. 2001. ‘Post-conditionality politics and administrative reform: reflections on the cases of Uganda and Tanzania’, Development and Change 32, 4: 657–79.Google Scholar
Hartmann, C. 2016. ‘Leverage and linkage: how regionalism shapes regime dynamics in Africa’, in Bogaards, M. & Elischer, S., eds. Democratisation and Competitive Authoritarianism in Africa. Wiesbaden: Springer, 79–98.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hearn, J. 2007. ‘African NGOs: the new compradors?’, Development and Change 38, 6: 1095–110.Google Scholar
Hubspot. 2016. ‘What is the difference between visitors, visits, and page views?’; <https://knowledge.hubspot.com/articles/kcs_article/reports/what-is-the-difference-between-visitors-visits-and-page-views>, accessed 12.1.2018.,+accessed+12.1.2018.>Google Scholar
Huntington, S. 1984. ‘Will more countries become democratic?’, Political Science Quarterly 99, 2: 193–218.Google Scholar
IBIS. 2012. ‘IBIS in Mozambique Country Strategy 2013–2017.’ <http://oxfamibis.dk/sites/default/files/PDF%20global/Mozambique%20PDF/ibis_in_mozambique_country_strategy_2013-17.pdf>, accessed 25.7.2016.,+accessed+25.7.2016.>Google Scholar
Ibrahim, E. 2004. Arab and American Think Tanks: new possibilities for cooperation? New engines for reform? Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Working Papers Series.Google Scholar
IESE. 2008. ‘Balanço do Plano de Implementação do IESE em 2007/2008; Aprovado pela Primeira Assembleia-Geral Ordinária do IESE’ [The Balance of IESE's Implementation Plan for 2007/2008; Approved by the First General Assembly of IESE]. <http://www.iese.ac.mz/lib/Balanco_2007_2008.pdf>, accessed 25.7.2016., accessed 25.7.2016.' href=https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=IESE.+2008.+‘Balanço+do+Plano+de+Implementação+do+IESE+em+2007/2008;+Aprovado+pela+Primeira+Assembleia-Geral+Ordinária+do+IESE’+[The+Balance+of+IESE's+Implementation+Plan+for+2007/2008;+Approved+by+the+First+General+Assembly+of+IESE].+,+accessed+25.7.2016.>Google Scholar
IESE. 2010. ‘Medium Term Strategic Plan for 2009–2011; Mid-Term Evaluation.’ <http://www.iese.ac.mz/lib/MidTermReview.pdf>, accessed 25.7.2016.,+accessed+25.7.2016.>Google Scholar
IESE. 2011. ‘Linhas Estratégicas de Desenvolvimento do IESE – 2012–2015; Versão Final’ [IESE's Strategic Lines of Development – 2012–2015; Final Version]. <http://www.iese.ac.mz/lib/EstrategiaIESE_2012-2015.pdf>, accessed 25.7.2016., accessed 25.7.2016.' href=https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=IESE.+2011.+‘Linhas+Estratégicas+de+Desenvolvimento+do+IESE+–+2012–2015;+Versão+Final’+[IESE's+Strategic+Lines+of+Development+–+2012–2015;+Final+Version].+,+accessed+25.7.2016.>Google Scholar
Informal Governance Group and Alliance. 2012. ‘Aid and budget transparency in Mozambique: constraints for civil society, the parliament and the government.’ <http://www.betteraid.org/sites/newbetteraid/files/Aid_Budget_Transparency_in_Moz.pdf>, accessed 8.1.2016.,+accessed+8.1.2016.>Google Scholar
International Budget Partnership. n.d. ‘Centro de Integridade Pública: The Center for Public Integrity (CIP) – Mozambique.’ <http://www.internationalbudget.org/wp-content/uploads/Profile-of-CIP-Mozambique-2011.pdf>, accessed 7.1.2016.,+accessed+7.1.2016.>Google Scholar
Johnson, E.C. 2000. ‘Think tanks in sub-Saharan Africa’, in McGann, J.G. & Weaver, R.K., eds. Think Tanks and Civil Societies: catalysts for ideas and action. New Brunswick: Transaction, 465–90.Google Scholar
‘Jornalista e académico moçambicanos vão a julgamento devido a opinião sobre Guebuza’. 2015. Diário Digital com Lusa, 22 July, <http://diariodigital.sapo.pt/news.asp?id_news=782922>, accessed 26.7.2016.,+accessed+26.7.2016.>Google Scholar
Kavuma, R.M. 2011. ‘Mozambique's free newspaper becomes a tool for social transformation.’ The Guardian – Global Development, Poverty Matters Blog, 1 June. <http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/poverty-matters/2011/jun/01/free-paper-social-transformation-mozambique>, accessed 17.1.2016., accessed 17.1.2016.' href=https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Kavuma,+R.M.+2011.+‘Mozambique's+free+newspaper+becomes+a+tool+for+social+transformation.’+The+Guardian+–+Global+Development,+Poverty+Matters+Blog,+1+June.+,+accessed+17.1.2016.>Google Scholar
Lalá, A. & Osteheimer, A.E.. 2003. Como limpar as nódoas do processo democrático? Os desafios da transição e democratização em Moçambique (1990–2003) [How to clean the stains of the democratic process? The challenges of the transition and democratisation in Mozambique (1990–2003)]. Maputo: KAS.Google Scholar
Lawson, A. [Evaluation Team Leader] et al. 2014. ‘Independent Evaluation of Budget Support in Mozambique [2005–2012], Final Report, Volume I.’ Hove: ITAD. <https://www.oecd.org/derec/ec/Mz-BS-Eval-Final-Report-Vol-1.pdf>..>Google Scholar
Levitsky, S. & Way, L.A.. 2006. ‘Competitive authoritarianism: the origins and dynamics of hybrid regimes in the post-Cold war era.’ Paper presented at the seminar ‘Competitive Authoritarianism: The Emergence and Dynamics of Post-Cold War Hybrid Regimes’, Stanford University, 31 May. <http://fsi.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/evnts/media/Levitsky-Way-Stanford.pdf>, accessed 30.9.2016.,+accessed+30.9.2016.>Google Scholar
Levitsky, S. & Way, L.A.. 2012. ‘Beyond patronage: violent struggle, ruling party cohesion, and authoritarian durability’, Perspectives on Politics 10, 4: 869–89.Google Scholar
Lister, S., Batley, R., Cumbi, A. & Warren-Rodríguez, A.. 2011. Evaluation of the Irish Aid Mozambique Country Strategy 2007–2010; Final Report. Oxford: Mokoro. <http://www.oecd.org/derec/ireland/Evaluation%20of%20the%20Irish%20Aid%20Mozambique%20Country%20Strategy%202007-2010.pdf>, accessed 31.1.2016.Google Scholar
Livshin, A. & Weitz, R.. 2006. ‘Civil society and philanthropy under Putin’, International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law 8, 3: 7–12.Google Scholar
Manning, C. & Malbrough, M.. 2012. ‘The changing dynamics of foreign aid and democracy in Mozambique’, WIDER Working Paper 18: 1–24. <https://www.econstor.eu/handle/10419/81077>, accessed 26.12.2017.Google Scholar
Martini, M. 2012. ‘Overview of corruption and anti-corruption in Mozambique', U4 Expert Answer 322. <http://www.u4.no/publications/overview-of-corruption-and-anti-corruption-in-mozambique/>, accessed 7.1.2016., accessed 7.1.2016.' href=https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Martini,+M.+2012.+‘Overview+of+corruption+and+anti-corruption+in+Mozambique',+U4+Expert+Answer+322.+,+accessed+7.1.2016.>Google Scholar
Mbadlanyana, T., Cilliers, J. and Sibalukhulu, N.. 2011. ‘Shaping African futures: think tanks and the need for endogenous knowledge production in Sub-Saharan Africa’, Foresight 13, 3: 64–84.Google Scholar
McGann, J.G. 2007. ‘Measuring the influence of think tanks’, in Think Tanks and Policy Advice in the U.S.: academics, advisors and advocates. London: Routledge.Google Scholar
McGann, J.G. 2010. Democratisation and Market Reform in Developing and Transitional Countries: think tanks as catalysts. Abingdon: Routledge.Google Scholar
McGann, J.G. & Sabatini, R.. 2011. Global Think Tanks: policy networks and governance. London: Routledge.Google Scholar
McNutt, K. & Marchildon, G.. 2009. ‘Think tanks and the web: measuring visibility and influence’, Canadian Public Policy 35, 2: 219–36.Google Scholar
Mosse, M. 2004. ‘Corrupção em Moçambique: Alguns elementos para debate’ [Corruption in Mozambique: Some elements for debate]. Mimeo. <http://macua.blogs.com/moambique_para_todos/files/corrupcaomocambiquemmosse.pdf>, accessed 30.9.2016.,+accessed+30.9.2016.>Google Scholar
Mozambique News Agency. 2014. AIM Reports, No. 494 (31 October). <http://www.poptel.org.uk/mozambique-news/newsletter/aim494.html>, accessed 17.1.2016.,+accessed+17.1.2016.>Google Scholar
Mulungo, A. 2014. ‘Quando as organizações não agradam ao regime’ [When organisations don't please the regime]. CanalMoz, 21 May.Google Scholar
Nhamirre, B. 2012. ‘Adriano Nuvunga em Entrevista ao Canal de Moçambique' [Adriano Nuvunga Interviewed by Canal de Moçambique]. Canal de Moçambique, 3 October: 2.Google Scholar
Nhantumbo, A. 2016. ‘Os recados da madame Joanna’ [The messages of madame Joanna]. Savana XXIII, 1170, 10 October: 6.Google Scholar
Nylen, W.R. 2014. ‘Participatory budgeting in a competitive-authoritarian regime: a case study (Maputo, Mozambique).' Cadernos IESE, 13E.Google Scholar
Ohemeng, F.L.K. 2005. ‘Getting the state right: think tanks and the dissemination of new public management ideas in Ghana’, Journal of Modern African Studies 43, 3: 443–65.Google Scholar
O'Laughlin, B. 2014. ‘News: Mozambique, charges against Carlos Castel-Branco for crimes against state security’, H-Luso-Africa, 26 May. <https://networks.h-net.org/node/7926/discussions/27975/news-mozambique-charges-against-carlos-castel-branco-crimes-against>, accessed 31.1.2016., accessed 31.1.2016.' href=https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=O'Laughlin,+B.+2014.+‘News:+Mozambique,+charges+against+Carlos+Castel-Branco+for+crimes+against+state+security’,+H-Luso-Africa,+26+May.+,+accessed+31.1.2016.>Google Scholar
‘Orçamento do Estado: Parceiros reafirmam apoio’ [The National Budget: Partners reaffirm their support]. 2014. Notícias, 19 May. <http://www.jornalnoticias.co.mz/index.php/main/15940-orcamento-do-estado-parceiros-reafirmam-apoio>, accessed 25.7.2016.,+accessed+25.7.2016.>Google Scholar
Peake, G. & Marenin, O.. 2008. ‘Their reports are not read and their recommendations are resisted: the challenge for the global police policy community’, Police Practice and Research: An International Journal 9, 1: 59–69.Google Scholar
Pérez Niño, H. & Le Billon, P.. 2016. ‘Foreign aid and political settlements: contrasting the Mozambican and Angolan cases’, in Hagmann, T. & Reyntjens, F., eds. Aid and Authoritarianism in Africa: development without democracy. London: Zed Books, 139–60.Google Scholar
Pew Research Center. 2013. ‘Social Networking Fact Sheet.’ <http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/social-networking-fact-sheet/>, accessed 11.7.2016.,+accessed+11.7.2016.>Google Scholar
Pitcher, M.A. 2002. Transforming Mozambique: the politics of privatisation, 1975–2000. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Plattner, M.F. 2009. ‘From liberalism to liberal democracy’, in Diamond, L.J. & Plattner, M.F., eds. Democracy: a reader. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 58–70.Google Scholar
‘Porque é Que Nem 5% dos Moçambicanos Usam a Internet?’ 2014. Club of Mozambique, 20 June. <http://macua.blogs.com/moambique_para_todos/2014/06/porque-%C3%A9-que-nem-5-dos-mo%C3%A7ambicanos-usam-a-internet.html>, accessed 23.6.2014.,+accessed+23.6.2014.>Google Scholar
Reaud, B.A. 2012. ‘The political economy of local democracy: decentralisation and performance in Mozambique since 1998.’ PhD dissertation, The American University, International Relations.Google Scholar
Reinhard, J. 2010. ‘EU democracy promotion through conditionality in its neighbourhood: the temptation of membership perspective or flexible integration?’, Caucasian Review of International Affairs 4, 3: 196–213.Google Scholar
Schedler, A. 2006. Electoral Authoritarianism: the dynamics of unfree competition. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner.Google Scholar
Scholz, I. & Plagemann, J.. n.d. ‘Opportunities and risks of budget assistance: the example of Mozambique.’ <http://www.kas.de/wf/doc/kas_13055-544-2-30.pdf?080316141644>, accessed 24.2.2014.,+accessed+24.2.2014.>Google Scholar
Scott, J.C. 1999. Seeing Like a State: how certain schemes to improve the human condition have failed. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.Google Scholar
Scott, J.M. 1999. ‘Transnationalizing democracy promotion: the role of Western political foundations and think-tanks’, Democratisation 6, 3: 146–70.Google Scholar
Sumich, J. 2008. ‘Politics after the time of hunger in Mozambique: a critique of neo-patrimonial interpretation of African elites’, Journal of Southern African Studies 34, 1: 111–25.Google Scholar
Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program, University of Pennsylvania. n.d. ‘Global go to think tank index reports.’ <https://www.gotothinktank.com/global-goto-think-tank-index/>, accessed 21.12.2017.,+accessed+21.12.2017.>Google Scholar
Van Buren, B. & Matos, N.. 2014. ‘Mid-term review of IESE's strategic plan 2012–2015, Final Report’, <http://www.iese.ac.mz/lib/MidTermReview2014.pdf>, accessed 26.12.2017., accessed 26.12.2017.' href=https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Van+Buren,+B.+&+Matos,+N..+2014.+‘Mid-term+review+of+IESE's+strategic+plan+2012–2015,+Final+Report’,+,+accessed+26.12.2017.>Google Scholar
Weaver, R.K. & McGann, J.G.. 2000. ‘Think tanks and civil societies in a time of change’, in McGann, J.G. & Weaver, R.K., eds. Think Tanks and Civil Societies: catalysts for ideas and action. New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers, 1–35.Google Scholar
Weimer, B., ed. 2012. Moçambique: Descentralizar o Centralismo; Economia Política, Resursos e Resultados [Mozambique: to decentralize centralism; political-economy, resources and results]. Maputo: IESE.Google Scholar
Youngs, R. 2001. ‘Democracy promotion: the case of European Union strategy.’ Center for European Policy Studies, Working Document No. 167.Google Scholar